The Best in You Brings Out the Best in Me

Enable is a dynamic and vibrant organisation dedicated to improving the lives of the people we support and we are looking for a dynamic and motivated Practice Development Practitioner passionate about Positive Behaviour Support (PBS).

The Practice Development Practitioner is an enhanced practice development role within Enable’s Practice Development Team (PDT). The postholder works under the supervision of the Senior Practice Development Lead to support the delivery of PBS workstreams as set within the PDT Strategy. The role requires a particular focus on embedding PBS and person-centred approaches across Enable Cares services.

The Practice Development Practitioner will work collaboratively with people supported, families, teams, and external partners to improve quality of life outcomes and reduce unnecessary restrictions. They will contribute to assessment, planning, implementation, and review of PBS and practice development interventions and support teams to embed systems, processes, and skills that sustain effective PBS practice. They will contribute to learning, coaching, and reflective practice to support continuous improvement and work flexibly across Scotland to meet service and organisational needs.

About You

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• SVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent).
• Graduate in recognised Positive Behaviour Support qualification at Certificate level or equivalent or be willing to work towards.

Knowledge & Understanding

• Knowledge of person-centred, outcomes-focused approaches for the people we support.
• Understanding of PBS and its application to improve the quality of life for the people we support.
• Knowledge of Care Inspectorate, National Care Standards, SSSC requirements, and relevant legislation and policy.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to support the learning and development of others under supervision.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload.
• Ability to implement and support change within teams.
• Ability to work reflectively and recognise when to escalate concerns.
• Commitment to own learning and professional development.
• Effective and adaptive communication skills.
• Basic data gathering and analysis skills.
• Working knowledge of information technology.
• Full UK driving license and access to a vehicle.

Experience

• Minimum of two years experience supporting people with learning disabilities in a social care setting.
• Experience supporting teams to deliver person-centred support.
• Experience contributing to assessment, planning, delivery, and review of care or support.
• Evidence of continued professional development, including PBS-related learning.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working within a PBS framework in a learning and development or practice development context.
• Experience supporting people with additional needs such as mental health needs, working in forensic services or acquired brain injury.
• Willingness to further develop within the role, including supporting student learning or supervision in the future.

About Us

At Enable we believe in developing all our staff and we provide an extensive learning programme together with in-house career development opportunities.

We also have an excellent range of staff benefits on offer including but not limited to:

• Health cash plans providing a wide range of health benefits to help people cover the cost of their everyday health care.
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme*
• Season Ticket Loans*
• Blue Light Card
• Where required, Enable will fully fund SVQ Health and Social Care qualifications – required for SSSC registration

Starting a career with Enable is the first step towards making a real difference in our award-winning charity’s mission to help create an equal society for every person who has a learning disability.

Enable is an equal opportunities employer and our recruitment, selection and assessment process is based entirely on values, skills and competencies required of the specific roles.

The cost of PVG is paid upfront by the organisation and deducted from your wage if successfully appointed.

Enable reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications. Please submit your application as early as possible if this vacancy is of interest.

Note: The successful applicant will be required to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) within 3 months of their start date.

*Terms and Conditions Apply

Simon Community Scotland is the largest provider of homelessness services in Scotland. Our vision is for everyone to have a safe place to live, with access to the support they need. Every day we help make positive things happen for people facing extremely difficult circumstances. Everything we do is about and for people, the people we support, our staff, our partners and everyone affected by homelessness. Our values are built into every area of activity and tell the story of how people remain at the heart of Simon Community.

Day by day, person-to-person, we tailor what we offer to what people need. We are here to provide consistent, friendly and informed support so that people can explore options and take 'the next step' towards a positive future. We offer support across a range of service delivery points; Street Outreach teams, Housing First initiatives, Floating Support, Information Hubs, Managed Alcohol Program (MAP), Supported Accommodations, Emergency Accommodation, Rapid Access Accommodation, and our own rented properties. These services are delivered across many local authorities within Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Edinburgh and Perth.

We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experiences to our team. To make a difference, we need to work flexibly, with everyday leadership and a 'can-do' approach. We want to make it right and make it happen – not only for the people we support, but also for each other.

Our #OneTeam ethos is core to who we are, and it means caring for and supporting each other regardless of our role, service or location. Find out more about our services here.

Our Support Services

Job Purpose

The Support Worker role is to support and engage with people to manage and recover their mental health, in line with our trauma-informed approach. You will help people with safer substance use and assist them with the process when they choose to stop. You will assist our people to build a positive network of connections to enable them to gain and sustain their own housing.

As a Support Worker, you will provide work alongside people impacted by homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges and trauma. You will provide guidance and assistance to the people we support to achieve their goals of securing safe housing and accessing the necessary support to feel secure, manage their challenges and live an independent life free from harm or abuse.

Our Preventing Migrant Homelessness programme works with people who are destitute and subject to immigration control, as well as refugees who are at risk of homelessness. You’ll be based in the community, working one to one with individuals to provide person-centred, trauma informed support, linking in with other agencies and partners as required.

You will be part of a new service being rolled out in North Ayrshire, Saffron which is currently running in Glasgow and has had some very good outcomes for young people so to take this model across another local authority will be an excellent opportunity for all involved.

You will work directly alongside our UASC service, Saffron, to provide specialised support to unaccompanied young people. Using a trauma-informed approach, you will deliver practical housing support—helping young people to adjust to living independently, navigate tenancy responsibilities, and build key life skills as they work towards sustainable, independent living. You will also collaborate closely with partner charities and external agencies to offer a safe, holistic support network tailored to the needs of the people we work alongside.

To be part of this team, you will be passionate about changing expectations and experiences of people we support, many of whom have experienced significant trauma and continue to experience exclusion, stigma and racism in Scotland. You will understand the differential impact of race on their experience of services and support. As part of our Preventing Migrant Homelessness team you’ll contribute to the development of our service, provide support to colleagues and work to improve outcomes for the people we support.

This post is part time, working 18.75 hours per week.

Days to be arranged but will be in the Monday - Friday 9.00 am - 5.00 pm perimeter

Job Summary

You will be passionate about supporting and changing expectations and experiences of people we support, many of whom have experienced significant trauma, exclusion and stigma.

As a Support Worker in homelessness services, you'll be instrumental in empowering individuals affected by homelessness, addiction, challenging mental health and trauma. You'll provide compassionate, person-centred support, guiding them towards securing safe and stable housing and developing tools to manage their challenges. Your role is vital in helping people access essential resources, build resilience, and ultimately live a life free from harm and abuse.

As part of our Team, you will be at the forefront of supporting people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. You will work collaboratively with partner agencies in a supportive environment. The role involves providing both practical and emotional support, helping individuals to secure accommodation, access benefits, and connect with a wide range of health, wellbeing, and advocacy services.

Our team builds strong professional relationships with local authorities, support providers, and other external partners to ensure our support is coordinated and effective. You will adopt a harm reduction approach, providing advice and Naloxone trained as needed.

Getting the Right Support at the Right Time

Turning Point Scotland are working with Fife Council and other partners to achieve the following aim;

‘Ensure people in Cowdenbeath (and surrounding areas) at risk of or experiencing Homelessness, and people who need help to strengthen their housing stability get the right support, at the right time through a co-ordinated system response.’

We are developing an exciting approach of change. To co-ordinate the system, we have created a Whole System approach. The community navigators will be the people on the ground who will support us to work ‘upstream’ and provide the support identified to ensure people get the right support to address an issue they have, at the right time as early as possible.

The Whole System Approach and role will adapt as we learn what works best for the people that need support.

The role may require meetings across Fife and could evolve to providing a similar support in another area of Fife.

Standard working hours are 9am - 5pm Monday - Thursday, and 9am - 4.30pm Friday.

About the role

The role of Community Navigator will support early intervention and prevent a crisis. Our Community Navigator role will include:

• Supporting people in relation to housing, wellbeing and their wider social circumstances.
• Lead on setting up community drop in’s in Cowdenbeath and surrounding area, building relationships and connecting to established community hubs.
• Working with individuals to provide them with easy access to advice or low-level support. This may be one contact or several over a few weeks to help resolve an issue.
• Supporting people with more complex needs to access support within wider services in Fife, ensuring that we do not let go of someone until we are assured that another support service has taken on the Lead Professional role for the person.
• Supporting people to act in their own lives as well as directly providing support with a variety of issues including, accessing employability services, access and engage with mental health services, register with a doctor or mental health/alcohol or other drug services, linking in with welfare services, help registering child at school, etc.
• Building knowledge of local resources and developing a network of working relationships with local providers / services.
• Supporting the implementation of the steering group’s WSA Action plan and feeding in to the steering group to highlight what works well land not so well so that the WSA can learn and change the system. This will include being involved in Task and Finish groups as required, ensuring lived and living experience is heard and valued in the process.

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• Flexible to adapt their role to meet the needs of the test of change
• Curious by nature to understand why there are barriers to someone being supported and take action to address why these work or doesn’t work for the people we support
• Self-Motivated and has a ‘can do’ attitude to support people
• Kind, Calm and Compassionate when listening and responding to people.

A level of previous working experience in a community based or social care role is an advantage, but not necessary as full training will be provided to you.

We believe the both lived and professional experience you may have is further enhanced by having the right values of respect, compassion, inclusion and integrity in order to join our team!

About Us – Fife Support Service

The Fife Support Service operates a Whole System Approach team, where these posts will work, in addition to a Housing First Team. This is the start of an exciting journey as we develop the WSA.

We believe that we are not going to end Homelessness by focussing on service delivery alone. Ending, preventing, or responding effectively to homelessness demands input from housing but also from across the public service system – no one service, or approach is going to have all the answers. These inputs need to be coordinated and integrated, underpinned by effective communication and information sharing arrangements and overseen by a strategic structure that brings agencies together around a shared goal. We believe that whatever door someone opens, this is the right door (No Wrong Door Approach) and when this door is opened, they are met with a co-ordinated multi agency response.

Please note that IT skills are required for all our vacancies.

Where applicable, successful candidates will be required to register with the SSSC within 6 months of start date.

We welcome applications from all candidates who are eligible to work in the United Kingdom. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Turning Point Scotland offers a Salary Matching opportunity within the pay points of the role and based on experience.

Freedom from Torture has an exciting opportunity for an Associate Director of Clinical Services (Clinical Operations) to join our team. This role will provide strategic and operational leadership across our Northwest and Scotland clinical services, while supporting quality improvement and the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality rehabilitation services for survivors of torture. The role will require regular travel between our Northwest and Scotland centres and occasional travel elsewhere in the UK as required.

About us

Freedom from Torture is an established charity that has been supporting survivors of torture for over 35 years and has a dedicated donor base. We are committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based interventions for people who have survived torture. We provide therapies to improve physical and mental health, medically document torture, and offer legal and welfare support. Our clinical model has been co-designed with survivors of torture and includes a range of interventions, including trauma-focused therapy, psychotherapy, family and couple systemic psychotherapy, group work, pain management and health assessment.

In addition to our treatment services, we expose torture globally, campaign for the rights of survivors and work to hold torturing states to account. We use evidence from our services and survivor voices to influence national and international change, placing survivors at the centre of everything we do.

Our current strategy seeks to increase access to rehabilitation services for survivors of torture, strengthen our clinical excellence through research, and explore innovative models of service delivery that enable us to reach more people in need. This includes piloting new approaches to service delivery and developing partnerships that help sustain and expand our impact. We undertake our work under our four core values of Hope, Compassion, Empowerment and Resolve. This is an exciting time to join Freedom from Torture and make a meaningful contribution to our future development.

We offer an active CPD programme to clinical staff, including opportunities to train in EMDR and NET.

We offer a competitive package, with a generous 30-day annual leave entitlement (pro rata), 6% employer pension contribution, and flexible and hybrid working arrangements.

About the role

This is a key leadership role within Freedom from Torture and reports to the National Director of Clinical Services, deputising when required. The role compliments another Associate Director role who is currently re-deployed part time on another project. The role has a particular focus on clinical operations, quality improvement and service development within our Northwest and Scotland centres.

The role will have a strong focus on ensuring safe and effective clinical operations, including oversight of clinical governance, clinical risk management, safeguarding, health and safety, quality assurance and audit activity.

An important aspect of the role will be supporting innovation and growth, including developing external partnerships, contributing to the piloting of new service models in Scotland, and working with colleagues in fundraising to identify grant, commissioning and partnership opportunities that support the sustainability of clinical services.

The role works closely with colleagues across clinical services, survivor empowerment, fundraising and organisational leadership to ensure effective collaboration and delivery of organisational objectives.

About you

The successful candidate will want to make a real difference through your clinical leadership by working for an organisation committed to justice, empowerment and high-quality service provision for survivors of torture.

At Cosgrove Care, our people are at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate HR Manager to join our growing charity and help shape the future of our workforce. This is an exciting opportunity for an HR professional who wants to influence culture, lead meaningful people initiatives, and support a dedicated team delivering life-changing services across West Central Scotland.

Working closely with the Senior Management Team you will drive forward our HR and People Agenda, helping us achieve our ambition of being an employer of choice within the social care sector.

This is a flexible, part-time role, making it an excellent opportunity for someone seeking meaningful and rewarding work alongside a healthy work-life balance.

About the Role

Far more than a traditional HR role, this position offers the opportunity to influence both strategy and delivery. Reporting to the CEO, you'll work in partnership with senior leaders to develop HR priorities that support organisational growth, while leading the implementation of initiatives, policies and processes that bring those priorities to life. Combining strategic input with hands-on operational support, you'll work alongside managers to navigate day-to-day people challenges, improve employee experience, and ensure our workforce has the support, skills and leadership needed to succeed.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading recruitment and workforce planning initiatives to attract high-quality talent
• Designing and delivering effective onboarding processes that set staff up for success
• Supporting managers with employee relations matters, including performance, absence, disciplinary and grievance processes
• Developing and implementing HR policies, procedures and best practice
• Driving employee engagement and wellbeing initiatives
• Supporting the delivery of a culture of continuous learning and professional development
• Ensuring compliance with employment legislation and sector-specific regulatory requirements
• Producing workforce data and reports to support informed decision-making and organisational planning
• Identifying trends in turnover, absence and workforce performance and developing proactive solutions
• Supporting organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives

About You

You are an experienced HR professional who combines strong technical expertise with a genuine passion for people.

You enjoy building positive relationships, supporting managers to succeed, and creating practical HR solutions that help organisations thrive.

You will bring:

• CIPD membership or equivalent qualification and experience
• Demonstrable and extensive HR experience in a generalist role
• Strong knowledge of current employment legislation and HR best practice
• Experience across recruitment, employee relations, performance management and absence management
• The ability to influence, coach and support managers with confidence
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and report-writing skills
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
• A proactive, solution-focused and collaborative approach
• Experience within the third sector, social care or a regulated environment is desirable but not essential.
• Most importantly, you will share our values and commitment to creating an environment where people feel supported, valued and empowered to do their best work.

About Cosgrove Care

Cosgrove Care is a respected and growing charity supporting children, adults and older people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and other support requirements.

Our approach is person-centred, needs-led and values-driven. Everything we do is guided by our core values: Respect | Integrity | Compassion | Excellence

These values shape how we support the people who use our services and how we support one another as colleagues.

Why Join Us?

We believe that exceptional support starts with exceptional people. This is a genuine generalist HR role, offering the best of both worlds: the opportunity to shape organisational strategy while making a tangible difference to colleagues every day.

We offer:

• Occupational pension scheme
• 32 days annual leave (pro rata, including bank holidays)
• An extra day off on your birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to Blue Light card

Linlithgow Community Development Trust is a charity formed by residents to deliver changes that benefit our community. Our vision is “Empowered, thriving communities where people work together to nurture innovation” which we hope to achieve through our mission of “Fostering creative solutions to provide community benefit and encourage a sustainable and vibrant Linlithgow”.

Our main priorities are;

• Driving Environmental Initiatives - Encouraging waste reduction, resource reuse, and recycling within the community; promoting energy efficiency, encouraging sustainable transportation options, developing friendly green spaces, supporting local food production.
• Improving Community Health and Wellbeing - Building connections, reducing social isolation, improving mental and physical health and well-being, increasing learning and skill-building.
• Facilitating Community Engagement - Empowering residents to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to create community benefit and capacity-building.

Our staff and volunteers are all local people focusing on projects prioritised by local people. By coming together, we want to access the resources needed to help develop strong, inclusive and meaningful projects that give the community a sense of purpose and value and build confidence that they can take into all areas of their lives. Annually, we engage with over 3000 people through our activities, improving the environment, people’s health and wellbeing and strengthening our communities.

If you have a passion for Linlithgow, its people and the environment. We would really love to hear from you.

Role Focus:

As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the Trust and bring forward more passionate local people to help guide the trust’s development. We are looking to recruit the following board level positions

• Chair of the Board
• Charity Trustees.

As a trustee you will help provide leadership and strategic direction to the trust, ensuring that it continually focuses on the needs and aspirations of the residents of Linlithgow ward and operates in a way that is both transparent and transformational.

As a trustee you will be asked to attend board meetings (currently 9 per year, one of which is the AGM) along with contributing to relevant small subgroup pieces of work where appropriate.

Following the previous chair standing down in April 2026. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone that would be interested in utilizing their skills and experience to provide strong leadership and direction to the organisation by undertaking the position of Chair.

These are voluntary roles, but reasonable expenses will be covered when undertaking any actions agreed on behalf of the trust.

At The National Lottery Community Fund we are passionate about strengthening communities and improving lives. We are driven by our strategy, ‘It starts with community’ and its four community-led missions, as well as our equity-based approach to tackling poverty, discrimination and disadvantage.

To help us in supporting communities in Scotland, we are now looking for a motivated Policy Engagement Manager with a strong understanding of the social policy context in Scotland, and the environment in which our grantholders operate.

You will play a key role in shaping and strengthening our engagement with government, voluntary and community sector organisations, and funding partners. Working closely with the Head of Policy Engagement in Scotland, you will help build influential relationships, provide strategic policy insight, and ensure that the experiences of communities inform our funding and development priorities. You will play a key role in enabling the Fund to use our insight, position and influence in Scotland to celebrate and promote the power and expertise of communities.

Key Responsibilities

As Policy Engagement Manager, you will be an excellent relationship-builder with a strong understanding of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. You will be comfortable working across complex stakeholder environments and translating policy developments into practical insight, including providing insight and policy context to inform medium and long-term funding initiatives across the UK.

You will develop a thorough understanding of the policy environment relating to our four community-led missions and our commitment to addressing poverty, discrimination and disadvantage through an equity-based approach.

You will maintain a broad understanding of the policy and social context in which our grantholders operate, convening grantholders and stakeholders to explore shared challenges and opportunities. We’re looking for someone who is values-driven, passionate about the Fund’s purpose and deeply committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We invite you to join our team and contribute your skills and experience to creating lasting change for communities and society.

Regular travel around Scotland is expected, as well as some travel to other parts of the UK to connect with colleagues. We offer a flexible and supportive working environment and an excellent all-round benefits package.

Essential Criteria

• Experience of engaging with government, public sector, VCSE or funding stakeholders.
• A strong grasp and knowledge of the policy environment and the developing issues and themes relevant to our Missions and grantholders in Scotland.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting policy and political developments.
• Demonstrable strategic influencing skills.
• Strong communication including written communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and contribute to strategic planning and development.
• Understanding of the use of digital tools and systems to manage relationships, share information and support policy development.
• Experience of project management

About Connect2

Connect2 is a Christian support charity working across Forth Valley. We support people and families affected by addiction and other life challenges.

We believe change often takes time. We aim to walk alongside people with compassion, dignity, consistency and hope, helping them build trust and take positive steps forward.

About the role

We are looking for a Women’s Coordinator to lead and develop our women’s recovery pathway across Forth Valley and surrounding areas.

This is a practical, people-focused role. You will build trusting relationships with women and help them take steps towards safety, stability, recovery and long-term support.

The women’s pathway has three main stages:

Reach and trust – meeting women through referrals, outreach, community links and safe first conversations.

Structured support– offering one-to-one support, follow-up, group support and practical next steps.

Ongoing belonging– help women identify their needs, strengths, risks, goals and next steps, and connect them with appropriate Connect2 support, statutory and local services, community support or rehab pathways where appropriate.

What you will do

You will:

• receive, review and follow up referrals;

• provide one-to-one support to women;

• meet women in appropriate community settings;

• help women access Connect2 and other suitable support;

• take part in some evening outreach and community work;

• support female volunteers;

• build good working relationships with churches, local services and partner organisations;

• help create safe, welcoming women-focused and women-only spaces; and

• keep clear and accurate records.

Although the main focus of the role is supporting women, you will also work as part of the wider Connect2 team in some mixed outreach and community settings.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone who:

• has a heart for women who may be vulnerable, marginalised or facing difficult life circumstances;

• is good at building trusting relationships;

• is compassionate, reliable and emotionally mature;

• can maintain safe and professional boundaries;

• has experience supporting people affected by addiction, trauma, domestic abuse, mental health pressures, homelessness, family breakdown or other complex needs;

• can provide one-to-one support and help facilitate groups;

• works well as part of a team and with partner organisations;

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone who:

• has a heart for women who may be vulnerable, marginalised or facing difficult life circumstances;
• is good at building trusting relationships;
• is compassionate, reliable and emotionally mature;
• can maintain safe and professional boundaries;
• has experience supporting people affected by addiction, trauma, domestic abuse, mental health pressures, homelessness, family breakdown or other complex needs;
• can provide one-to-one support and help facilitate groups;
• works well as part of a team and with partner organisations;

Essential requirements

• Female post-holder required because of the women-focused and women-only elements of the role and the vulnerability of the women being supported.
• Active Christian faith aligned with Connect2’s values and ethos.
• Full UK driving licence, access to your own car and appropriate business insurance.
• Willingness to work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends.
• Willingness to take part in appropriate Connect2 outreach and community activities.
• PVG Scheme membership / appropriate Disclosure Scotland check will be required.

This role has occupational requirements for the post-holder to be female and to have an active Christian faith, due to the women-focused nature of the role and Connect2’s Christian ethos.

A fantastic opportunity to join the Children First team in Midlothian

Every child deserves to be safe, loved and well with their family.

At Children First, we stand alongside children, young people and families to help them build on their strengths, overcome challenges and create lasting change. We believe children should be heard, their rights respected and their voices at the centre of every decision that affects them.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Midlothian team, supporting children, young people and families experiencing a range of challenges, including parental substance use, poverty, poor mental health and trauma. The service also provides support to kinship carers and the children in their care, as well as Armed Forces families.

Working alongside families in their homes, schools and communities, you will be part of a skilled and caring team that delivers both whole family and individual support. Our practice is grounded in relational, systemic, strengths-based and restorative approaches. We recognise that families are experts in their own lives and work alongside them to identify what is working well, build resilience and create positive futures for children.

Alongside one-to-one and family support, we help families develop meaningful connections through peer support groups and links to their local communities, strengthening the relationships and networks that help children thrive.

About you

We're looking for someone who:

• Shares our commitment to putting children first and upholding children's rights.
• Understands the importance of listening to children and ensuring their voices influence the support they receive.
• Has experience of working with children, young people and families, including involvement in child protection processes.
• Values restorative, relationship-based and strengths-focused ways of working.
• Can work alongside families with compassion, curiosity and respect.
• Brings an understanding of the diverse experiences and needs of families across our communities.

We welcome applications from people with broad experience across family support, as well as those with specialist knowledge in particular areas of practice.

You will hold a professional qualification in a relevant discipline such as Social Work, Teaching, Childcare, Social Care, Counselling, or another related field at SCQF Level 9 or above.

Why Children First?

Children First is Scotland's national children's charity. We are ambitious for every child in Scotland to grow up safe, loved and well with their family. We provide emotional, practical and financial support to children and families and campaign tirelessly to protect and uphold the rights of every child.

We are determined that the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) becomes a reality in children's everyday lives. We want children to be listened to, respected and meaningfully involved in decisions that affect them.

If you believe in the power of relationships, the strengths within families, and children's right to be heard, we'd love to hear from you.

Our Values

Living our values, you will help create a workplace where our people can thrive, ensuring we deliver the best possible support to children and families.

• With love, we put children first.
• With purpose, we transform lives together.
• With strength, we do whatever it takes to protect Scotland’s children.

At the Cairngorms National Park Authority we have an ambitious programme of delivering transformational change as we tackle the climate emergency and nature crisis and strive to be the best small public sector organisation in Scotland. We know we can only do this if we are fully inclusive and representative of all our visitors, staff and communities. We have a strong foundation in equality and inclusion coupled with a proud history of developing a Park for All but we also know we can do better and aspire to lead the way locally and nationally in our sector.

We are inviting applications for members to join our Equality Advisory Panel to support us in our journey to create a fully inclusive Park Authority. We want members who have background knowledge and experience in equality and diversity and who can give us evidence based advice on best practice so we can truly deliver the best for our visitors, communities and staff across all protected characteristics.

Who are you?

You have a passion for equality and diversity and a desire to influence organisational strategy. You will have experience of delivering equality approaches for protected and disadvantaged groups either in your work or voluntary roles. You’ll know how to signpost to best equality practice and challenge us to improve. You may be looking for some experience working with National Parks or public sector organisations at a strategic level.

Our panel is currently under represented by Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, young people (18 – 24), and LGBTQ+ communities and we would encourage applications from candidates with professional or personal knowledge, skills and experience in these areas. We are also interested in having members who have knowledge of or work with immigrant communities.

Why join the panel?

This is a volunteer role is not remunerated, but existing members have stated the following with regards to why they joined the panel, and what they get out of it:-

• Having grown up abroad and moved to Scotland five years ago, I have come to appreciate how accessible nature feels here and the strong sense of wellbeing and freedom that outdoor spaces can provide. As a solo female traveller and someone working in the nature conservation sector, I joined the EAP to help ensure the National Park remains welcoming, inclusive and safe for everyone, including those from underrepresented communities. Being part of the panel has allowed me to contribute different perspectives while also broadening my own understanding of inclusion and accessibility in Scotland's landscapes.
• I joined the panel as I am a regular visitor to the Cairngorms National Park. I have noticed some of the barriers that face disabled people and people on low incomes - from accessing and getting the benefits (physical, mental health, wellbeing) from the National Park and seen this as an opportunity to use my skills. expertise and knowledge to influence the development of our park with the aim of making it more accessible and affordable for all.
• I value contributing to decisions that shape how people access and experience nature. I benefit immensely from the knowledge of our dedicated EAP members and from being part of a like minded group. I am gaining an understanding CNPA’s organisational priorities and hearing from staff, plus helping to further meaningful change.
• I’ve lived in and worked in the Cairngorms National Park area for over 25 years and keen to support efforts to make the Park work for all.
• I originally applied to join the EAP through my passion for promoting fair access to our countryside and wild places for everyone. This was combined with my love of outdoor learning and experiencing the barriers that often exist for young people accessing nature. I thought long and hard about applying to the EAP. It represents a fantastic opportunity to understand the workings of this very special place, and an opportunity to broaden my own perspectives and worldview. During my time on the EAP I have learned so much from my fellow panel members and from the many presenters at our monthly meetings. I hope I have balanced being an analytical, critical friend, as well as showing effective allyship for under-represented groups within the Park environments.
• I joined the Panel to share both my professional and personal perspectives, contribute to the Authority’s direction of travel, and learn from others who are equally passionate about inclusion. The Cairngorms is a special place, and I feel deeply grateful to play a part in helping shape its future, as it has helped shape mine.
• I have enjoyed being on the panel. I have gained confidence in getting my point across and my critical thinking skills have improved. My eyes have been opened to the views and needs of other groups too, eg access difficulties of those in poverty

Commitment

We want people to give advice and guidance through a virtual forum which meets nine times a year as well as providing support outside of scheduled meeting. The overall commitment is no more than 2 hours a month.

This is a voluntary role however all reasonable expenses incurred will be covered.

If you this sounds like you and you want to know more please contact us at equalities@cairngorms.co.uk